The last couple of weeks in my small group, we have been talking about where we find our acceptance; I think this is an important conversation to have. Asking the question, where are you looking for your acceptance??
It’s easy to get caught up in what others think of us and seek acceptance in those around us; this becomes detrimental, especially when we take more stock in being accepted by the world instead of remembering that we are accepted by Christ.
I’ve struggled with this a lot, especially as I got into high school; the world has a specific set of standards that we feel like we have to live up to. This can especially happen with those closest to us; it seems odd that the closest people in our lives can negatively affect us when we let them. When searching for acceptance, we often turn to those closest to us to find that; we often get stuck in a cycle of trying to earn love and acceptance, but after a while, we mess up and have to work to gain favor all over again.
Ultimate Acceptance in Christ
Of course, it is important to listen to those close to us and seek to be accepted by them, but that should not be more important than God’s acceptance. Surround yourself with people who encourage and uplift you, but also listen to those people who know you and will tell you the truth when you are walking down the wrong path. But although we want to be accepted by our family and friends, remember that their acceptance does not define who you are; your value is only found through Christ.
This world is conditional, and we have to work to earn love, but that is not how God works; there is nothing you can do to make God love you any more than he already does. Jesus came to die for us as we are; we don’t have to change to be accepted by him; he loves us for who he created us to be. It is easy to forget that when this world tempts us to focus on what others think about us.
It is easy to forget what Jesus said, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first” John 15:18. As his followers, we often are rejected by the world; because of that, we are often afraid to step out in faith and have confidence in who God made us to be; instead, we worry about what the world thinks of us. Jesus loves you enough that he gave his life for you; flaws and all he chose you, and you can’t earn his acceptance in the same way you gain the world’s love.
He Whole Heartedly Knows & Loves Us
We are each made entirely in him; he fully knows us wholeheartedly loves us. We are his Beloved!! God made you to be his masterpiece; he made you the way you are, and you don’t have to change to please him. Whenever I am focusing on what others think of me, I try to remember that the only opinion I should care about is God’s. Psalm 139:13-14 says, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”
God created us in his image, and he fully knows us in every way. He knows everything about me, and he loves me anyway; that’s a fantastic feeling. When you feel like you are not enough, remember that God made precisely who you are for a reason, he has placed you exactly where you need to be.
Ephesians 4:23-24 says this “and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in the true righteousness and holiness.” You are created in the likeness of God in true righteousness; that’s beautiful and an incredible feeling to be new in him.
We Can’t Earn It
He knows your heart, dreams, passions, and aspirations; he knows your weaknesses, fears, flaws, and shortcomings. HE KNOWS EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU, AND HE LOVES AND ACCEPTS YOU JUST THE WAY YOU ARE!! Isn’t that incredible?? You don’t have to earn anything; it is freely given; we get to be free from this world’s chains.
Because we are accepted by Jesus, we get to have an inherent confidence in how God made you, and this can be really difficult and something I have definitely dealt with. But wowza God really spoke into that; he really showed me that he made me uniquely and beautifully, that he created me exactly who I am. We are not defined by the expectations of the world of us; we are defined by Jesus alone; when we let go of seeking acceptance in others, we can find so much freedom and confidence.
We Get To Have Confidence
We find confidence in who we are in God and that putting our trust in him is where our confidence lies. We need to realize that we are free from what the world says we need to be, and we get to walk in the light knowing who God made us be and find confidence in that. I’m not saying it’s easy; it is something we have to choose and strive for daily, but God doesn’t make us walk alone; he guides us every step of the way.
Romans 12: 2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Learning To Let Go
Now I just want to say that it is not easy to remember that God’s acceptance is the only one that matters and that he already loves and chooses us. It is an uphill battle learning to let go of the world’s approval is a daily, moment by moment battle; but when we not only know this truth but learn to live it, we can find so much freedom. It is easy to say that “God love and accepts me,” but when we live out this truth, that is a testament to who Jesus is. And great news, he doesn’t make us do it alone; he is continually reminding us who he made us to be and the acceptance that he offers.
When we grow in our relationship with him and learn more about who he is, he engraves these truths on our hearts. I hope this was encouraging to you, and I would love it if you would check out my post about navigating mundane seasons https://livinglifewithgracie.com/how-to-navigate-a-mundane-life/ I hope you know that you are fully known and fully loved and know that he is working. Please reach out if you need anything and would love to talk!
-Gracie K
p.s. Also check out my mom’s blog: https://www.lifesneverdull.com/
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